title: Twice-a-day versus four-times-a-day ofloxacin treatment of external ocular infection.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacies of 0.3% ofloxacin eyedrops, when given twice-a-day (BID) versus four-times-a-day (QID), for the treatment of external ocular disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients with blepharitis, conjuctivitis, or blepharoconjunctivitis were randomly assigned to treatment with 0.3% ofloxacin eyedrops, BID or QID, for 10 days. Signs, symptoms, and cultures were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The clinical outcome was virtually identical in the two groups. There was a significant decrease in clinical scores in the BID and QID groups by days 3 to 5 (2.6-3.0 points) and a further decrease by day 11 (4.3-5.0 points). There was no significant difference between the two groups at any time interval. Microbiologic studies showed a reduction in colony-forming units in 87% of the BID group and in 80% of the QID group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment of external ocular disease with 0.3% ofloxacin eyedrops was equally effective when given BID or QID.
authors.affiliation: Division of Ophthalmology, Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Friedlaender
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000254:growth & development / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001762:Blepharitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology; D003234:Conjunctivitis, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D005143:Eyelids / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015242:Ofloxacin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D015242:Ofloxacin